One of the things Khanna is most grateful to Hungerford for is introducing him to the book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey.
“Hungerford was a strong believer in the concepts of this book. Each Monday he would meet with all of the residents and fellows that were rotating on the joint replacement service and would go over the 7 Habits. I had the chance to go over the whole book with him three times,” Khanna said.
“That book and his teachings were pivotal in my life not only as physician but as person. I will never forget the education, mentorship and guidance he gave me and many others not only as a leader in orthopaedic surgery but as an amazing human being.”
One of the 7 Habits Khanna learned from Hungerford was “Begin with the End in Mind.” Hungerford explained that many people grind away at their jobs and lives not fully aware of what they were working towards. This habit, which is number 2, really instilled in me how important it is to have clear goals from the start to be able to work more effectively towards whichever goals one might have,” said Khanna.
“Many clinicians can excel at one or two of Johns Hopkins missions, but it is very rare for someone to truly excel at all three of them. Hungerford was that rare exception who exceled at all three while still maintaining an amazing work/life balance for his wife Heide and their three sons.”
A Life of Service to Others
Hungerford’s generosity of spirit was not just experienced by his patients, colleagues and students. His philanthropic work has also touched many lives.
As a member of CURE International, a Christian nonprofit dedicated to providing medical care to children suffering primarily from orthopedic and neurological conditions, he trained orthopedic surgeons throughout Africa to treat various conditions like clubfoot, bowed legs and cleft lips. He also helped create hospitals in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean which have gone on to treat countless underprivileged patients with advanced diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
He, his wife and kids developed charities of their own as well. One of them was The Tree of Life Foundation which offered financial support to small-scale entrepreneurs in Third World Countries. Hungerford funded it with the royalties from his medical patents.
From 1996 to 2008, he served as chairman of the board of Medical Assistance Programs (MAP), an organization that promotes the total health of people living in developing countries, and in 2009, Hungerford along with his wife Heide started A Common Path Alliance (CPA), an organization that promotes reconciliation between Muslims and Christians. CPA is now TRAC5.
He even co-authored “The Qur’an – with References to the Bible, A Contemporary Understanding,” a modern English translation of the Qur’an with more than 3,000 parallel references to the Bible.
Hungerford touched many lives as a physician, teacher, mentor, innovator, colleague, and philanthropist. His legacy will never be forgotten.
I was fortunate to have been a Hungerford/Krackow fellow back in 1991. David taught surgeons of all levels not just how to operate but how to think as a surgeon. Every action had a purpose and he extended that dogmatic approach to other aspects of patient care while maintaining a most human touch. He was a scientist who manifested great compassion and faith. Even his approach to golf had a scientific flair which made it so fun. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to know him and will miss him greatly, Ted Firestone MD
I remember hometown hero, David Hungerford, from my formative years growing up in Sodus, NY, and am saddened to hear of his passing. May he have favorable tailwinds enroute to his final destination.
Dr. Hungerford was my commanding officer in Amberg, Germany in 1967. I remember him as a very good man.
It is obvious that he made a lasting impression on my, as I still remember working with him 53 years later.